The Realisation
Sometimes in life, you go through a lot of hard work to achieve a goal only to realise you fall short, in such cases you have to choose whether to continue on the path you are on or change direction. These types of decisions require an honest evaluation of self. If you are looking at changing direction ask yourself why? There is nothing wrong with changing the path in fact for many people it is the right thing to do. If you do choose to change path make sure you are changing direction for the right reasons not just because what you are doing is too hard. Many people change their course in life because they find what they are doing is too hard. These people often change to something they think is easier only to find the path was as rough as the path they were previously on.
In Practice
Long Game, Short Game
A graduate named Henry is interested in a specific high demand low competition game designer role in a particular industry which requires high-level maths.
To attain this role Henry searches and finds an opening in a math degree which will help him progress toward the game design role he wants, at the same time finds out there is a junior QA tester position in a reputable company in the same industry.
The choice Henry has to make is not black and white, so what should Henry do?
Mapping out the motivations and considerations will give Henry more clarity and help him make a better decision;
Why does Henry want to go into this industry?
Why does he want this specific game design career?
Would Henry be happy if he were to get the job and stay in a QA tester role?
What are all the pros and cons of the degree?
Is the degree going to get you towards your goal?
Are the degree terms and costs manageable? (Time, debt & cash flow).
What situation are you in if you can’t complete the degree?
Prevention plan?
Recovery plan?
What are all the pros and cons of taking the job?
Can taking this job get Henry closer to his goal?
Is there a clear path of progression? (If not it is not as likely it will happen).
If taking the job why?
What value is the job offering?
Is the value long term or short term?
Does the job help Henry progress towards his career goal?
Does it improve Henry’s life?
If taking the job has to do with money;
Why does Henry really need the money at the moment?
What will the money be used for?
Is there a more effective way of making money needed?
Is making money progressing Henry towards his goal?
Can Henry manage study and working at the same time?
If so is there any advantage to this approach?
In the mapping out of motivations and considerations you may have noticed there are some broader questions specifically;
Does it help get you towards your goal?
Does it improve your life?
Why do you need the money?
What will the money be used for?
Is there a more effective way of making money needed?
Is making money getting you closer to your goal?
The questions above are important as many of us find our wants, needs, and desires live beyond our careers and our day job is merely a means to satisfy these requirements. In these cases, the path you take should focus on the most effective way to meet your requirements even if it means you need to venture from the known path. If you find yourself in such a position it is possible to design your way to an ideal lifestyle; play the long game.
Assuming Henry wants to pursue a math's focused game design career, it is more likely that having the required degree will give Henry a higher chance of reaching his goal as the QA position has no clear or guaranteed path towards the game design role.
“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen." - Wayne Huizenga